Praise Actions, Not Traits

October 3, 2013

If you read my Thursday Mail letters faithfully (and perhaps have been doing so for a few years) you may recall the names of a few books which I have loved. One about which I was effusive a few years ago, is Mindset by Carol Dweck. I know that some of you have read it because it was originally suggested to me by a parent. You might even recall that we chose the book for faculty summer reading a few years ago. Well, what is happening in the world of education is that the ideas in great books such as these are being distilled and disseminated in journal articles and at conferences – educating educators and parents to the same ideas.

Why am I telling you this? I am doing so because, as a happy consequence of all this distillation and dissemination, much of this helpful information is now easily accessible for all of us who perhaps might not have time to read the books that are out there!

With this in mind, as we find articles and resources we love, we will be putting them on the Parent Portal. When you go to the Parent Portal, scroll down and you will see parent resources on the bottom right hand portion of the page.

We have just added three more opportune reads:

True Grit
by Jennifer L. W. Fink

Handle with Care: A Conversation with Maya Angelou
by Amy M. Azzam

Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child
by Dr. Laura Markham

We each will take something different away from these resources because we all have different starting points. I especially loved the first one! My big take-away: Praise Actions, Not Traits.

“Give praise for efforts, strategies, focus, and perseverance,” Ms. Fink says. “This kind of praise focuses kids on the processes they engaged in to be successful.” It also encourages the kinds of behavior that are correlated with true success.

Regardless of my ‘starting point,’, let me reiterate my big message for today: None of us was provided instruction booklets when God gifted us with our beautiful children. Yet, it is true that task of raising these children is probably the most important and sacred task we will be given in our entire lives. So, it behooves us to support each other with our communication, collaboration, and sharing of resources with open hearts and minds as we all continue to do our best raising these children – children whom we hope will become reflective of God’s Goodness and Grace in the legacy of their future lives and loves,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Educating Educators and Parents

October 3, 2013

If you read my Thursday Mail letters faithfully (and perhaps have been doing so for a few years) you may recall the names of a few books which I have loved. One about which I was effusive a few years ago, is Mindset by Carol Dweck. I know that some of you have read it because it was originally suggested to me by a parent. You might even recall that we chose the book for faculty summer reading a few years ago. Well, what is happening in the world of education is that the ideas in great books such as these are being distilled and disseminated in journal articles and at conferences – educating educators and parents to the same ideas.

Why am I telling you this? I am doing so because, as a happy consequence of all this distillation and dissemination, much of this helpful information is now easily accessible for all of us who perhaps might not have time to read the books that are out there!

With this in mind, as we find articles and resources we love, we will be putting them on the Parent Portal. When you go to the Parent Portal, scroll down and you will see parent resources on the bottom right hand portion of the page.

We have just added three more opportune reads:

True Grit
by Jennifer L. W. Fink
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/true-grit-0

Handle with Care: A Conversation with Maya Angelou
by Amy M. Azzam
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept13/vol71/num01/Handle-with-Care@-A-Conversation-with-Maya-Angelou.aspx

Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child
by Dr. Laura Markham
http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/positive-discipline/Parenting-Strong-Willed-Child

We each will take something different away from these resources because we all have different starting points. I especially loved the first one! My big take-away: Praise Actions, Not Traits.

“Give praise for efforts, strategies, focus, and perseverance,” Ms. Fink says. “This kind of praise focuses kids on the processes they engaged in to be successful.” It also encourages the kinds of behavior that are correlated with true success.

Regardless of my ‘starting point,’ let me reiterate my big message for today: None of us was provided instruction booklets when God gifted us with our beautiful children. Yet, it is true that task of raising these children is probably the most important and sacred task we will be given in our entire lives. So, it behooves us to support each other with our communication, collaboration, and sharing of resources with open hearts and minds as we all continue to do our best raising these children – children whom we hope will become reflective of God’s Goodness and Grace in the legacy of their future lives and loves,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Raising Resilient Children

October 2, 2013

Christian Parenthood: The Challenge, a six-week class led by Mrs. Margaret Bommarito (who’s been trained and commissioned by the Archdiocese’s Office of Laity and Family Life) explains authoritative, democratic style of parenting, which is linked with the most successful child outcomes. With it, children are more likely to become independent, self-reliant, socially accepted, academically successful and well-behaved. The class will be offered at the Academy on Tuesday evenings beginning Oct. 8, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Required are a $90 fee and the book, Children: The Challenge ($15).  For more information or to register, please contact rnelson@ash1818.org or call (636) 946-6127.

Visit to Mount Carmel

October 1, 2013

On Wednesday, September 25, Mrs. Horner’s homeroom began the Fifth Class’ weekly visits to our neighbors on First Capitol Drive, the residents of Mount Carmel Senior Living. In no time at all friendships were forged as the students chatted with the residents, helped them play bingo, and aided in transporting them up to the chapel for Mass or back to their rooms for a little rest. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the students or the residents.

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We Need You

September 26, 2013

As human beings we yearn to belong. Equally importantly, we yearn to contribute meaningfully to our community and our world. As a parent at this Academy, one can be a part of something bigger than oneself in a significant way while also being meaningfully connected to others!

With the above as a RATIONALE for contributing to the school with one’s time (one which satisfies the inner yearnings of our parents as human beings), there are also a number of very practical and concrete reasons for parent participation here at the Academy! Quite frankly, WE NEED YOU! The Academy cannot be the place it is without your support, time and participation.

Our first fundraising event of the year is coming up: Country Fair. It is a delightful weekend with multiple opportunities for our children to engage in simple, wholesome, fun-filled activities. It is also a beautiful way for parents to both connect AND contribute. Furthermore, the event usually brings in close to $50,000 for our operating budget.

Here is the thing: for this event to be successful, WE NEED EVERY PARENT TO SIGN UP TO HELP.

WE NEED YOU!!

Total Families signed up to work:  211   57% (includes all chairs)
Total Families with more than one slot:  37    (10%)
Spots short (as of Saturday):  80
Total Families who have no slots:  161    (43%)
So, this is my big plea: please go to Volunteer Spot now and pick a shift. We are asking both parents to do so.

If you have trouble with the link, just call the Advancement Office and ask for Silvia. We will help you sign up.

DON’T MISS OUT:

…For the sake of your children
…For the sake of the school
…For the sake of your contribution to this community, and
…For the sake of your own sense of connection

With deep and loving gratitude in advance!

Maureen Glavin, rscj

We Need You

September 26, 2013

As human beings we yearn to belong. Equally importantly, we yearn to contribute meaningfully to our community and our world. As a parent at this Academy, one can be a part of something bigger than oneself in a significant way while also being meaningfully connected to others!

With the above as a RATIONALE for contributing to the school with one’s time (one which satisfies the inner yearnings of our parents as human beings), there are also a number of very practical and concrete reasons for parent participation here at the Academy! Quite frankly, WE NEED YOU! The Academy cannot be the place it is without your support, time and participation.

Our first fundraising event of the year is coming up: Country Fair. It is a delightful weekend with multiple opportunities for our children to engage in simple, wholesome, fun-filled activities. It is also a beautiful way for parents to both connect AND contribute. Furthermore, the event usually brings in close to $50,000 for our operating budget.

Here is the thing: for this event to be successful, WE NEED EVERY PARENT TO SIGN UP TO HELP.

WE NEED YOU!!

Total Families signed up to work:  211   57% (includes all chairs)
Total Families with more than one slot:  37    (10%)
Spots short (as of Saturday):  80
Total Families who have no slots:  161    (43%)
So, this is my big plea: please go to Volunteer Spot now and pick a shift. We are asking both parents to do so.

If you have trouble with the link, just call the Advancement Office and ask for Silvia. We will help you sign up.

DON’T MISS OUT:

…For the sake of your children
…For the sake of the school
…For the sake of your contribution to this community, and
…For the sake of your own sense of connection

With deep and loving gratitude in advance!

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Room Parents Team Up to Plan Good Times

September 24, 2013

Lead room parent volunteers met to begin organizing parties and goûters for the students throughout the year. Lots of of energy and enthusiasm were in evidence! There will be opportunities for all parents to get involved. For a list of lead room parents, click here.

High School Nights

September 23, 2013

 

High School Nights provide students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and their parents an opportunity to hear from representatives of the Catholic high schools about their programs and policies. Remaining dates are: September 24 and 25, October 1 and 2. All begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. For locations and presenting schools, visit http://archstl.org/education/page/high-school-nights-1